007 News

Chris Hemsworth (Thor) recently made news when he suggested the new James Bond should be Atomic Blonde actress Charlize Theron. Theron, of course, has starred in quite a few heroic roles including as Imperator Furiosa in Mad Max and assassin Aeon Flux, and recently as the villain in The Fate of the Furious.

“She’s smart as hell. She’s physically able. Ya know watching her in those fight scenes, doing it in high heels by the way and 8-foot long gown,” said Hemsworth.

Theron is certainly one woman would fit the role nicely, but would the James Bond franchise, and especially the Broccoli family, be ready for a woman in the role?

Diehard 007 fans may not think so. There is certainly a population of “conservatives” who want to keep Bond exactly as Ian Fleming created him: tough but gentlemanly, and male. But those were different times when Fleming, a journalist and ex-naval intelligence officer, wrote Casino Royale in 1952.

Today, a woman playing the role of the hero is not so out of the ordinary. Look at films like Salt, Lucy and Kill Bill. They all have strong leading ladies that command the screen. A female 007 would be an easy transition as long as the franchise owners are willing. And, think about the extra level of covertness if the MI6 agent “man” known as “James” turns out to be a woman.

We thought of some other well-known woman actors (if Theron wasn’t ready to play the role) who might be considered for the role of James Bond such as Halle Berry, Angelina Jolie, and Scarlett Johansson. But let’s not forget the actor needs to have an English accent (or at least close to it) to get away with the role. That’s a given, if the past is any indication of how the actor is chosen.

Who do you think would play a great woman James Bond? Fill out the Google Form below and help us decide. (We do not collect email addresses.) Please note we really wanted to include Halle Berry but she’s already been a Bond girl!

Multiple sources are reporting that Daniel Craig will likely play the role of James Bond in the next film, which will be a milestone for the franchise at number 25. Surely, if you’re a Bond fan, you would have heard the rumors that Craig had enough of the franchise after playing his third stint as Bond in Spectre (2015). But Craig has been a favorable actor to play the role. He blends a perfect mix of well-mannered and dangerous, and for many was a return to how Bond was portrayed by Sean Connery.

Craig had doubts about returning as James Bond after Spectre, the largest and most expensive Bond film to date estimated between $300M and $350M, was completed. He said he felt an enormous amount of pressure after Skyfall to surpass what that film had accomplished. But after making close to $40M on Spectre, how could he possibly turn down that kind of salary that would inevitably be increased?

At the same time sources have been saying that Adele will likely be singing the theme song for James Bond #25, even though she sang the theme song and won a Grammy for Skyfall (2012). Previous theme songs for the high-profile recordings have been sung by Jack White/Alicia Keys, Chris Cornell, Sam Smith, Sheryl Crow, Garbage, Tina Turner, and Gladys Knight (the list goes on).

Columbia Pictures has released the first teaser trailer for Spectre (2015). The one-and-a-half minute video provides some stunning visuals of what the 24th James Bond will encompass, as 007 tries to unravel the deeply-rooted underground crime organization known as SPECTRE.

Description:

A cryptic message from Bond’s past sends him on a trail to uncover a sinister organisation. While M battles political forces to keep the secret service alive, Bond peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the terrible truth behind SPECTRE.

The 24th film in the James Bond franchise will be directed by Sam Mendes, and written by John Logan, EON Productions, MGM and Sony announced today. Both Mendes and Logan worked on the last Bond film, Skyfall, as director and writer. Daniel Craig was also confirmed to play 007 once again, after three previous successful films; Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, and Skyfall. Bond 24 is scheduled to hit theaters on November 6, 2015 in the US, and October 23, 2015 in the UK.

“Following the extraordinary success of SKYFALL, we’re really excited to be working once again with Daniel Craig, Sam Mendes and John Logan,” said Producers Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli, EON Productions.

“I am very pleased that by giving me the time I need to honour all my theatre commitments, the producers have made it possible for me to direct Bond 24,” said Sam Mendes.

Bond 24 is the production name for film. Penélope Cruz, Ralph Fiennes and Naomie Harris are rumored to be in Bond 24, but only Ben Whishaw has been confirmed as a cast member, returning as ‘Q.’

It’s official now…Adele will sing the theme song for the upcoming James Bond film Skyfall. We don’t know any more details than that though, so keep your ears open. Previous contemporary artists who have performed theme songs for James Bond films include Jack White and Alicia Keys (Quantum of Solace), Chris Cornell (Casino Royale), Madonna (Die Another Day), and Sheryl Crow (Tomorrow Never Dies).